Hat-block



(No Model.)

J. 0. PIESTER.

HAT BLOCK.

No. 397,117. Patented Feb. 5, 188.9.

INVEA/ r05 WITNESSES Af/omey UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. FIESTER, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

HAT-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 397,117, dated February 5, 1889.

Application filed October 19, 1888. Serial No. 288,532. (No model.)

To all 1071 0722 it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN C. FIEs'lER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Reading, in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hat-Blocks and I do declare one which will permit the surplus material to be cut away from the brim after the latter has been formed on it, leaving the rim of any desired outline.

Figure 1 isa sectional view of my improved ring and a hat formed upon it. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ring.

A represents a ring of any desired shape, it being adapted to form a brim of irregular outline and of varying size. here the brim is folded up close to the side crown of the hat the section of the ring shows the thickness of the material forming it to be necessarily much reduced. The opening I of the ring is of oval shape to suit the size of hat desired, and when the unformed hat-body has been pressed into this opening. by means of an interior block, G, the brim is bent or curled over the top of the ring and down toward the base, being conformed in shape to the ring. 7

Intermediate between the top and the base a circumferem'ial V shaped groove, E, is formed in the outer surface of the ring, it being at different distances from the base, in stead of parallel with it, for the purpose of giving an irregular outline to the rim. The brim having been bent down over the groove, a cord or wire, K, is used to draw the felt or wool into the groove, bending it sharply over the edge L of the latter. A knife is used to cut off the surplus material of the brim at the point J, it being pressed against the edge L with the point extending toward the bottom of the groove.

v i i As before stated, the thickness of the ring where the brim is bent up close to the side crown is not great, and where the V-shaped groove E is cut into it is still further reduced. In using the knife, as just explained, the point is naturally brought into contact with the bottom of the groove and tends to increase the depth of the latter. In consequence these rings are weak and soon give out when made of wood or similar light material. The edge of the knife is also apt to cutinto the guidingedge L of the groove and distort its shape, thus causing the finished rim to be rough. These rings must be light and easily handled, and should also have a certain amount of spring, so that the use of metal instead of wood to overcome these defects is notadvantageous. In my construction I therefore employ thin metallic strips and bands in combination with wood to effect the purpose without materially increasing the weight or interfering in any way with the cffi ciency of the ring.

I3 and D are flexible metallic bands, which are set into the outer surface of the ring around the top and bottom and secured by nails or other mcans,tl1us serving tostrengthen the ring by binding it circumferentially.

C is a similar band, which serves the same purpose as B and I), but which also acts as a guiding-edge for the knife and prevents the latter destroying the smoothness of the cutting-line, the flexibility and lightness of the band permitting it to be readily adapted to the curves of the groove.

In order to destroy the transverse strength lost by the groove E, I employ metallic strips M, secured axially to the wall of the opening F, where the section is small, thus securely holding it together, though the groove E be cut nearly through the ring.

I do not broadly claim the ring with circumferential groove, as this .has been heretofore employed. As ordinarily constructed, however, the work done is apt to become inferior very soon on account of the cuttingedge being damaged; and it is not possible IOO scribed, having a V-shaped circumferential scribed, having aV-shaped groove, E, metallic IO groove with lining-band C, substantially as bands B and O, and metallic binding-strips M,

and for the purpose set forth. substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 2. A hat-forming ring, substantially as de- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in scribed, having" strengthening-bands around presence of two Witnesses.

the top and bottom rims, and an intermediate JOHN C. FIESTER.

V-shaped groove with lining-band C, substan- Vitnesses:

tially as and for the purpose set forth. \V. G. STEWART,

A hat-forming ring, substantially as dc- C. J. DWIGHT. 

